Is It Safe To Eat Apples During Pregnancy?

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Is It Safe To Eat Apples During Pregnancy

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Are you going nuts fussing over what you should eat and what you should avoid during pregnancy? Healthy eating is necessary during pregnancy and doctors usually strongly recommend intake of fruits and vegetables. However, your dietitian may have given you a list of healthy fruits that you need to avoid during pregnancy. Are you clueless whether it is safe to eat an apple during pregnancy or not? If yes, read on to know all about it.

Nutritional Benefits Of Eating Apples:

An apple a day does keep the doctor away. Eating apples regularly comes with many nutritional benefits. Apples are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, phytonutrients and dietary fiber. The vitamin C in apple counters the damage free radicals cause. Apples reduce the risk of developing cancer especially that of the breast. It boosts your body’s resistance against infection.

The B-complex vitamins (vitamin B6, riboflavin, and thiamin) found in apples help maintain your red blood cells. The high fiber content in apples can help fight bad cholesterol. It also prevents critical ailments like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Apples also improve your neurological health and prevent dementia and stroke.

[ Read: Guava During Pregnancy ]

Is It Safe To Eat Apples While You Are Pregnant?

While you are pregnant, it is important that you have a healthy and nutritious diet. Eating apples while you are expecting your baby has numerous health benefits, here are a few:

1. Protects Your Baby From Asthma and Wheezing:

Various international studies and research prove eating apples during pregnancy can protect your baby from asthma. It also lowers the risk of your child having any wheezing problem in the future.

2. Prevents Anemia:

Anemia during pregnancy can lead to preterm labor and low birth weight. Apples are rich in iron and eating it regularly while you are pregnant can help prevent anemia.

3. Detoxification:

When you are pregnant, your doctor will advise you against consuming food that contains mercury and lead. Both these elements are extremely toxic, and its intake during pregnancy can adversely affect your baby. Eating apples will help remove all traces of mercury and lead from your body in case of any accidental consumption.

[ Read: Green Apples During Pregnancy ]

4. Improves Digestion:

Apples contain a rich amount of insoluble fiber. Intake of apples while expecting can keep indigestion at bay.

5. Builds Immunity:

Apples are a rich source of Vitamin C. A regular intake while pregnant will help build immunity and ward off a host of infections and diseases for you and your precious baby.

6. Boosts Energy:

Apples contain carbohydrates. Eating it when you are pregnant will give you instant energy. It is a power food and especially good for times when you feel a little dizzy or weak and need a quick sweet rush. Apple is a low-calorie food so you can eat it without worrying about putting on weight.

[ Read: Avocados During Pregnancy ]

7. Protects The Heart And Prevents Heartburn:

While you are pregnant, suffering from heartburn is normal. It can happen because of high blood pressure and acidity. Eating apples will reduce heartburn and keep your heart healthy and strong.

[ Read: Heartburn During Pregnancy ]

8. Strengthens The Bones:

When you are pregnant, you need an extra intake of calcium to ensure that your baby develops strong bones. Apples are a rich source of calcium and eating it will do wonders for you and your baby.

9. Strengthens The Lungs:

Apples are rich in antioxidants and therefore good for your lungs. Having it throughout your pregnancy, will keep any breathing related issues at bay. Strong lungs aid vaginal birthing.

[ Read: Banana During Pregnancy ]

Side Effects of Excessive Intake of Apples During Pregnancy:

Apples are good for both you and your baby. Doctors usually recommend daily intake of an apple to both expecting and lactating mothers. However, excessive intake of apples could have the following side effects:

1. Metabolic Slowdown:

During metabolism, you digest carbohydrates first. Excessive intake of apples during pregnancy increases the carbohydrate intake. It will in turn prevent your body from burning the fat.

2. Weight Issues:

Apples contain calories, albeit in very low quantities. If you start consuming too many apples a day during pregnancy, you will exceed the recommended calorie intake. It can lead to weight management issues later.

Doctors in general agree that apples in pregnancy will keep both you and your baby in good health. It will also give your body the strength and energy it needs for childbirth.

If you have not started eating apples yet because you were not sure if it was safe, go ahead and munch on one now.

Please share with us if you have any doubts about intake of any other healthy fruits during pregnancy.

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